by Elizabeth Mckibben

Created on: March 08, 2007   Last Updated: May 14, 2007

There are many types of desperation, so I will share only those that I or someone I know have experienced, and that I think of tonight.

There is the quite frightened desperation of a child who is being sexually molested, and can't tell because they or someone they care about is being threatened; "I'll break your baby brothers arm if you make a sound."
There is the desperation of a parent when their child is missing.

There is the desperation of a couple who want a child and cannot conceive, or afford to adopt.
There is the desperation of watching a spouses health slowly deteriorate, or of attending your child's funeral.
There is the desperation of a single parent quiting a job due to harassment before they have found a new job.
There is the desperation of a teenager who will not see or talk to a parent.
There is the desperation of a child who's parent(s) are on drugs, alcoholic, or simply totally irresponsible.
There is the desperation of facing or not being able to face going back to jail.
There is the desperation of knowing you are depressed, and nothing you have tried has changed that.

Yet to counterbalance the desperate times in our lives.

There is HOPE - someday I will be able to fight back my child will come home get a better education - make enough money to do more than just exist...

There is FAITH. "God will protect me. Where-ever I am He is also. Whatever happens in this world, I WILL SURVIVE, if I don't, it won't matter anymore for I will be in Heaven."unknown

There are people who care - family - friends - even the kindness of strangers.

There are ways of coping - help others - study religious works - go to school - share griefs, and smiles - pretend everything is alright - face your fears - PRAY...

Time does not heal all wounds. It can heal some of them. It lessens the pain of others. It may feel against you - or in your favor.

It is not possible to stay at a level of extreme desperation for a great deal of time, without creating physical damage to your system. Therefore, you must find a way to heal - to forgive old hurts (even if you cannot forget them.) Find a way to let go of the past that cannot be changed. Find a way to gain strength. Get stronger, bend with the willows, so that you do not break. Move forward - take charge - control what is in your power to control - without causing harm to yourself or to anyone else. Let God deal with what you cannot.

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